PERMANET launches Three Strategic Innovation Hubs to Boost Europe’s Rare Earth Resilience

The PERMANET project marked a major milestone with the official launch of its three interconnected Innovation and Technology Hubs during a high-level event held on April 28, 2025. Designed to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in the rare earth element (REE) value chain, the hubs bring together industry, research, and policy actors to drive innovation across supply, production, and end-use of PERMANENT magnets.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Simona Knežević, Head of Industrial Association at TECOS, and an introduction by Kristiina Jokelainen Operational Coordinator of the Project, presenting how PERMANET is supporting the resilience of the European REE ecosystem.

Key contributions followed from Merie Kannampuzha, REMHub Project Manager, highlighting the advancement of EU excellence in REE and PM (PERMANENT Magnets), and Benoît Esnault of the European Commission (DG BUDG), who presented the strategic alignment of PERMANET with the objectives of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

Central to the event was the official introduction of the three PERMANET Hubs:

• Hub 1 – Sustainable REE Supply, led by TECNICAS REUNIDAS
• Hub 2 – Circular Innovation, led by SOLVAY
• Hub 3 – Innovative PM Production and End-Use, led by POLITECNICO DI MILANO

A breakout session explored how these hubs will scale collaboration, support industrial innovation, and address the challenges of the green and digital transitions.

The event concluded with an open discussion and final remarks on next steps, emphasizing PERMANET’s commitment to delivering long-term impact across the full REE value chain.

Watch the full event recording HERE